Jess, along with her partner Rob, welcomed her first child Zac last year, and says that having their baby at the maternity unit "was a great experience thanks to the support of my midwife and many amazing nurses".
She says that being able to have Rob stay with her and Zac was also something that made their experience even better. "Zac is as much his baby as mine, so it was right that both of us were able to spend those first nights with him and learn together."
Maternity units make it much easier for partners to be involved in those early days says Jess, and she is encouraging fathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles, as well as partners and husbands, to sign the petition and demonstrate that the loss of the maternity unit doesn't just affect women, but everyone in the community.
Lisa Foley, who has had one of her children at the Base Hospital and the other at the Stratford Maternity Unit, says if she had the choice, she would choose to give birth in a maternity unit rather than a hospital.
"It was very easy to settle into motherhood in a quiet comfortable space," Lisa says.
Jessie Isaacs had both her babies at the maternity unit in Stratford and says it provided a relaxing environment that felt more like home than a hospital. "I really hope it re-opens, I was so sad to hear it was shutting down."
Lily Webb who has had three of her five children at the maternity unit in Stratford feels it offers a more relaxed environment to families. "Even my husband couldn't visit me in hospital outside of the visiting hours of 2pm to 8pm because he was bringing the other four children with him."
For many rural women, having a maternity unit in Stratford is really important, says Margaret Vickers of Rural Women New Zealand.
"The distances and travel times from the eastern district for expectant mothers and family to travel to New Plymouth to give birth is an unacceptable ask," she says, adding that "you cannot put a price on the life of a newborn".
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Sammie Ferris, who lives on Eltham Road, says that "rural mums who have a fast labour may not make it to the base hospital on time", and that having a facility in Stratford can make all the difference to those parents.
Becky Jenkins, Taranaki District Health Board's general manager of planning, funding & population, says "over the next two to three months Taranaki DHB will be exploring a range of options for the future access of maternity services for women in the Stratford District".
"Over the last few years there have been challenges with maintaining an adequate workforce to run the maternity unit," Becky says.
"Therefore it is important for the DHB to assess future options thoroughly to ensure the sustainability of access to maternity services for Stratford women. We appreciate this is an ongoing concern for the community and want to reassure women and their families they can access quality maternity services at either Taranaki Base or Hawera hospitals, both of these units operate 24/7 services and are able to accommodate additional patients."
Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke describes the maternity unit as an essential service for the community, and says he is seeking a commitment from the health board "that it is their intention to continue on with a full maternity service in Stratford".
"One thing is for sure, as was the case in the past, this community will not stand idly by and watch a temporary closure become permanent."
To sign the petition, click here.
